Dedicated to football lovers in Ankara (Except for those who follow Osmanlispor)

Monday, January 23, 2006

Not the best start

This report is a few days late due to A) depression at the result and B) having to look after a hyperactive 22 month year-old all weekend.

As you can guess from that line Genclerbirligi lost 3-0 away to Fenerbahce on Friday night.

Eski Kanka Jim and I went down to Knight and Flight to watch the match on the big screen and after a couple of pilsens and some darts we sat down with hopes high.

After six minutes we were almost 1-0 up but Ugur Boral managed to hit the post with a brilliant strike. It was the sort of shot that proves that if there is a God he too supports the Istanbul big teams.

A couple of minutes later Fener went up thanks to a wonderfully taken freekick by Alex which was headed in by Onder. Questions must be asked though as to why no one was marking Onder right in front of goal.

Towards the end of the first half Alex again took a free kick which Nobre sent in. The Gencler players all complained that Nobre had fouled a defender. Looking at the replays it seems as if he did but it would have been a brave referee to not award the goal in front of the Fener fans in Istanbul.

The next half was all Gencler. Fener hardly got the ball at all but still Gencler were hopeless up front. Isaac Promise once again had a crap game and considering we had about 90 per cent of the ball I think more than one or two shots on goal was called for.

On the fly Fener then got their third goal but by this stage I was too depressed to figure out who got it.

The result means we are now seven points behind 3rd place (the position needed to guarantee a UEFA Cup spot). Still gettable, but Gencler have to sort out their stuff up front.

Next week Gencler are at home to Ankaraspor. Sunday. 2 p.m.. Not sure if I'm going as it is bloody cold here.